Regis Dispersal Could Shake Things Up at KEENOV

Nat Rea of Regis Farms has been a major player at the top end of the bloodstock market since 2012, but the founder of auto parts company Martinrea International announced last month that he was getting out of the horse business to pursue opportunities in oil. As a result, Regis will sell all of its stock–41 horses, including 15 broodmares, seven weanlings and 19 horses of racing age–at next week's Keeneland November Sale. All offerings, consigned by Three Chimneys Farm, will sell without reserve.

“It's an outstanding group of horses with high-quality pedigrees, physicals to match, and current updates on the racetrack,” Three Chimneys Chief Commercial Officer Case Clay said.

When asked how interest has been for the Regis offerings so far, Clay replied, “There has been a lot of interest. We have received many phone calls and we're seeing a lot of traffic to Keeneland's microsite, which is mobile friendly and includes photos, walking videos, pedigrees, updates and past performances of the dispersal horses. With updates happening in real time, it's easy for people to watch a walking video of Tapas (Tapit) (hip 217), for example, who is the half-sister to graded winner and dam of New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}), Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), and see the update that Justwhistledixie's 2-year-old Tapit colt Mohaymen ran an 87 Beyer first time out for Shadwell.”

Another daughter of Tapit is among the dispersal's biggest draws. 'TDN Rising Star' Shook Up (Tapit), consigned as hip 184, was second in both the GI Kentucky Oaks and GII Fair Grounds Oaks this season. The daughter of GISW Sugar Shake (Awesome Again) will be offered strictly as a broodmare prospect, contrary to the catalogue.

“She is paddock sound now, but is continuing to heal from a leg wound she absorbed during the GI Acorn when another filly stepped on her from behind,” Clay revealed. “[Trainer] Steve Asmussen said she was a tremendously talented filly, and being by Tapit out of a Grade I winner, she'll make a great broodmare for somebody.”

Another Regis broodmare who was already among the consignment's most appealing lots got a very timely update earlier this month. Sealy Hill (Point Given)'s Belle Hill (Sky Mesa), a multiple stakes winner on the dirt at Emerald Downs, took to the turf and handled the step up in class to annex Santa Anita's GIII Autumn Miss S. Oct. 17. Sealy Hill (hip 176), Horse of the Year, multiple champion and Triple Tiara winner in Rea's native Canada, nearly blew up the tote when a narrow second at 48-1 in the 2008 GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. Rea acquired the Eugene Melnyk colorbearer for $590,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton February sale. Sealy Hill, who is also responsible for Canada's champion female sprinter and Grade II winner Hillaby (Distorted Humor), sells in foal to Medaglia d'Oro. Her Tiznow weanling filly will follow her into the ring as hip 177.

“[Belle Hill's Autumn Miss win] was good timing, but more importantly, it puts Sealy Hill in that elite broodmare category,” said Clay. “From just four foals of racing age, two are already graded stakes winners, one being a champion in Canada. There are not many around who have foaled two graded stakes winners so early in their production record. And Sealy Hill's record as a commercial producer is impressive also–she's had two $500,000 progeny sales to date, and counting.”

Sealy Hill's Distorted Humor daughter True Elegance brought $500,000 from Dixiana Farms at last year's Keeneland September sale, while Hillaby went for the same amount to Stonestreet Stables as part of the Melnyk Dispersal at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton July sale.

Among the Regis horses of racing age is another 'TDN Rising Star' in 3-year-old colt Donworth (Tiznow) (hip 3324), who was last seen taking Delaware's rained-off Stanton S. by 11 lengths with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure June 20. The Graham Motion trainee was also second in Keeneland's GIII Coolmore Lexington S. Apr. 11. Seduire (Elusive Quality), winner of the GII Santa Ynez S. for Jerry Hollendorfer in January sells as hip 178, while MSW and GSP Zindaya (More Than Ready)–a half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley)–goes as hip 239.

There are also some well-pedigreed individuals who have not yet raced.

“There are a few hidden gems in this group as well, including unraced 3-year-old Bijou (Street Sense), the half-sister to [GISW] Cry and Catch Me (Street Cry {Ire}) and European champion Certify (Elusive Quality) who was a $1.45-million [KEENOV] weanling and is coming off a minor layoff– she is gorgeous. She is one to keep your eye out for since she is hip 7,” Clay said. “Additionally, there is the unraced, but ready to run 2-year-old Royal Obsession (Tapit) (hip 762), who was a $1-million Saratoga yearling purchase–she has breezed five furlongs several times under the care of Steve Asmussen–he really thinks a lot of her.”

When Rea announced he was dispersing, he said that the staff of his Kentucky farm staff would remain employed as part of the deal. Clay offered more details on that part of the story.

“Three Chimneys did not purchase the farm, but it was purchased by a good friend of [Three Chimneys Chairman] Gonçalo Torrealba's, who renamed it Bonne Chance Farm–they were active at the September Sales,” Clay revealed. “Gonçalo facilitated that purchase by putting those parties together, and as part of the deal, the entire team at Regis Farms was retained by Bonne Chance Farm with Kieran Lalor as General Manager. It was a win-win for both parties, because Mr. Rea was clear that he wanted to take care of his employees and Bonne Chance Farm got a 'ready made' farm, complete with a team in place. Three Chimneys is acting as agent for all of the remaining Regis bloodstock, and it's as simple as that.”

Visit november.keeneland.com/regis-farms-dispersal for more information on the Regis Farms dispersal, complete with ThoroStride.com video.